Top 10 Free Universities in Germany

Germany has recently become one of the most popular countries for international students. Quality programmes and various master’s degrees taught in English await anyone choosing to study abroad, and the best part is that most study programmes are free of charge for any foreign student. You can calculate how much you’ll need to have financially in order to study in Germany, including any tuition fees that may be applicable, scholarship opportunities and general cost of living.

German University Tuition Fees

Studying in Germany at a public university will not cost you anything unless you are planning to pursue a master’s degree with a focus on a discipline that is different from the one you chose during the bachelor’s programme. Outside of that, bachelor’s and master’s degrees are available to you free of charge for any foreign student, no matter what country you come from; however, there is one exception and that is for a foreign student attending Federal State of Baden-Württemberg whose tuition fees for non-EEA/EU students averaged around 3,000 EUR each year.

Even so, most universities in Germany are public, meaning you’ll only need to pay an administration fee averaging between 100 and 350 EURO per semester. This will cover not just your enrollment but also any student organisation fees.

Some of the most popular free universities in Germany include:

  • University of Bremen
  • University of Cologne
  • University of Stuttgart
  • University of Mannheim
  • University of Hamburg

As for private universities, there are some tuitions you’ll have to pay, ranging between 26,000 EUR for a bachelor’s programme or 40,000 EUR for a Master’s in Business, Management or Engineering.

Cost of Living for Studying Abroad in Germany

Not only are there free universities in Germany, but it is also known to be a relatively affordable country as well. On average, the cost of living for a student will be anywhere between 700 and 1,000 EUR each month, and that does include accommodations. Housing is typically what costs students the most when living in Germany. Living alone in a studio apartment will run you 390 EUR per month on average, while a student residence averages out at about 250 EUR each month. With the addition of utilities, another 100 to 200 EUR price may be added.

Food and Transportation Costs

Typically, students tend to pay around 170 EUR a month on food if you shop at the grocery stores. If you want to have a meal in a restaurant, typically you can expect to pay between 10 and 45 EUR depending on the dining. Transportation takes up around 10 percent of a student’s monthly budget if you take public transportation or rent bicycles.

Student Support and Funding

You can get financial support through Deutschland stipendium which offers 300 EUR a month for certain students a semester or The German Academic Exchange Services that supports international study.

Student Visa

When you begin applying to one of the free universities in Germany, you’ll also need to begin applying for a student visa in order to study and live in Germany as well with a price that is subject to variation.